Private Tour Highlights
- Discovering the jaw-dropping beauty of Lake Atitlan on foot, observing everyday life in the local villages peppered on the shores of the sapphire lake
- Meandering through the market in Chichicastenango, a vibrant highland town rich in indigenous cultural heritage
- Strolling through the cobblestone colonial town of Antigua, with its many ruined churches, convents and cathedrals rubbing shoulders with brightly-colored facades
- Spying all sorts of fascinating species on a birdwatching tour in the surroundings of Antigua, such as the Rufous-collared Robin and Black-capped Swallow
- Delighting in the thriving scene at Sololá Market, where locals cover the stalls with beautifully crafted textiles and garments
Tour Overview
Combine nature, history and culture with this unique tour of Guatemala visiting Antigua and Lake Atitlan. In Antigua enjoy a private bird watching tour searching for local species including the Rofus-collared robin and the black-capped swallow, among others. Visit the famous Maya archeology site of Iximche before traveling to the pristine Lake Atitlan and the nearby Chichicastenango market.
As you travel throughout Guatemala enjoy unique insights into the daily life of the locals as you explore the handicrafts in Chichicastenango and trek around Lake Atitlan spotting the fishermen in their wooden boats.
Inclusions
Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included.
Package Price: From £$ 3048
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
Guatemala City
Day flight to Guatemala City. Upon arrival, be greeted for airport reception and transferred to Antigua for an evening at leisure at the selected hotel.
Day flight to Guatemala City. Upon arrival, be greeted for airport reception and transferred to Antigua for an evening at leisure at the selected hotel.
Walking tour of Antigua
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This morning, be met at the hotel for the half day, private walking tour of Antigua. The tour today will cover the architectural & historical highlights of this beautiful, colonial city. The tour includes visits to some of the many old churches, convents, and cathedrals including the Iglesia San Francisco, the Cathedral, Central Park, and La Merced Church.
Note: Because this tour is private, there is flexibility available. If one has specific sites that they wish to see, please notify the guide. Visiting other monuments will require an entrance fee paid upon arrival.
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Textile Tour and Lximche
This morning, learn from a local textile expert about the unique handmade textiles of Guatemala.
This afternoon, transfer one hour outside of Antigua to the famous Maya archaeology site of Iximche, declared a Guatemalan National Monument in the 1960s.
After the tour of the ruins and lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Lake Atitlan, about one hour and 30 minutes away. Tonight enjoy an evening at leisure at the hotel in Lake Atitlan.
This morning, learn from a local textile expert about the unique handmade textiles of Guatemala.
This afternoon, transfer one hour outside of Antigua to the famous Maya archaeology site of Iximche, declared a Guatemalan National Monument in the 1960s.
After the tour of the ruins and lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Lake Atitlan, about one hour and 30 minutes away. Tonight enjoy an evening at leisure at the hotel in Lake Atitlan.
Santiago Atitlan
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Be picked up from the hotel for a scenic boat ride across the lake, passing by the three impressive volcanoes of Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro. Upon arrival in Santiago, walk with the guide to find the house where the Maya God Maximon is living. Each year a different "brotherhood" has the privilege of taking care of their God, so his location changes. Once with Maximon, see local shamans performing rituals for local people. If one wishes, ask the guide to help hire the services of a shaman to have a personal ceremony performed. After visiting Maximon, visit the local church and learn about the history of this very traditional town, and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and the area's famous primitive art. Return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. ...read less
Trekking Lake Atitlan
Enjoy a full day tour hiking along the shores of the beautiful Lake Atitlan. During the trek, walk through local villages passing by people working in the fields, washing clothes and fishing from wooden boats. After lunch, enjoy a visit to the village San Juan or Santiago before returning to the hotel for an evening at leisure.
Enjoy a full day tour hiking along the shores of the beautiful Lake Atitlan. During the trek, walk through local villages passing by people working in the fields, washing clothes and fishing from wooden boats. After lunch, enjoy a visit to the village San Juan or Santiago before returning to the hotel for an evening at leisure.
Chichicastenango
This morning, be greeted at the hotel and transferred privately to the highland town of Chichicastenango one hour outside of Lake Atitlan. Once in Chichicastenango one will be guided through the local, famous market that includes produce and an endless variety of handicrafts including textiles and ceramics. After lunch, transfer to Antigua for an evening at leisure.
This morning, be greeted at the hotel and transferred privately to the highland town of Chichicastenango one hour outside of Lake Atitlan. Once in Chichicastenango one will be guided through the local, famous market that includes produce and an endless variety of handicrafts including textiles and ceramics. After lunch, transfer to Antigua for an evening at leisure.
Flight Home
After breakfast this morning, be transferred privately to the airport in Guatemala City for the international flight home.
After breakfast this morning, be transferred privately to the airport in Guatemala City for the international flight home.
Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepequez, Guatemala
Lake Atitlán, Solola, Guatemala
Places You'll See
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Guatemala City
Visit the capital and the largest city of its country with the same name, Guatemala. Take in the local life and explore the surrounding area learning about the city’s history and its culture through the many museums and markets. One stop that can be made is at the giant relief map of the city that must be viewed from a tower because of its massive size, all onstructed before aerial photography!
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Antigua
Founded by the Spanish in the 17th century, Antigua city follows traditional layout and Spanish Baroque Style architecture. Enjoy chocolate making classes as you learn about the culture of the area or, For the more adventurous, there is the option to hike up several active volcanos in the region. With a walking coffee tour, one can learn about the process of picking and roasting one’s own coffee.
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Lake Atitlan
Surrounded by several volcanoes and with a once volcanic basin, Lake Atitlan is Central America’s largest and deepest lake. The villages around the edges of this gigantic body of water offer many places to enjoy eating as well as activities. From hiking the volcanoes and kayaking along the massive body of water to culture and coffee tours, there are many activities to take in.
Media Gallery
Hotel Options
3 Star Properties
Lake Atitlan : La Casa del Mundo (Jaibalito)
La Casa del Mundo (Jaibalito)
Lake Atitlan , GUATEMALA
La Casa del Mundo, or the World’s Home is a place where diverse cultures come together to relax, share experiences and enjoy the gems of Lake Atitlan. The 17 rooms, each with unique architecture, were built one by one into the lake’s cliff sides. They’re equipped with top quality beds, hot water, restrooms, traditional Mayan decorations, and spectacular lake views from their 100-250 feet high perches. Guests can make their way down the steps to find the pleasant swimming balconies overlooking the serene waters of the lake. When in need of delicious indulgence, climb the steps to the café to enjoy a fruit smoothie or a famous breakfast burrito, fruit salad, nacho chips or avocado sandwich.
Lake Atitlan : Bambu Santiago Atitla
Bambu Santiago Atitla
Lake Atitlan , GUATEMALA
The Hotel Bambu Santiago Atitlan is the perfect place to enjoy an excellent stay in Santiago Atitlan, Solola Guatemala. The hotel is fused with the landscape, preserving and beautifying with a gorgeous garden in which are the comfortable rooms and the swimming pool. The rooms have a rustic feel, and are equipped with private bathrooms with hot water, and have views of the beautiful lake and volcanoes. The hotel’s restaurant offers an extensive international menu with a traditional wood burning oven and a comfortable environment and friendly atmosphere.
4 Star Properties
Lake Atitlan : Posada de Don Rodrigo (Panajachel)
Posada de Don Rodrigo (Panajachel)
Lake Atitlan , GUATEMALA
Gazing across Lake Atitlán in the majestic Guatemalan Highlands, Hotel La Posada de Don Rodrigo Panajachel Atitlán is an intimate retreat surrounded by lush gardens and lawns. The hotel is situated at the end of Calle Santander, Panajachel’s main shopping and dining thoroughfare. In addition to 39 individually decorated guest rooms with spectacular lake views, special touches include a beautifully landscaped pool with slides, an intimate restaurant serving local and international cuisine, live folkloric Marimba music and dance performances, and the “Museo Lacustre” featuring displays on the history of Lake Atitlán and the volcanic activity that created its breathtaking landscapes.
Lake Atitlan : Lomas de Tzununa (Santa Cruz La Laguna)
Lomas de Tzununa (Santa Cruz La Laguna)
Lake Atitlan , GUATEMALA
Lomas de Tzununa is located in Tzununa, Lake Atitlan. The Hotel has 10 traditionally decorated rooms all with wonderful views on the Lake Atitlan and its villages, private bathrooms and a private balcony. Lomas de Tzununa has a restaurant serving delicious national and international food, Wi-Fi internet connection in public areas, a swimming pool and access to the Lake Atitlan. Guests can also enjoy a wonderful continental breakfast served daily. The hotel is also eco-friendly, and uses a network of solar panels to heat the water, composts organic waste to use as fertilizer, collects rainwater during the rainy season, and more.
5 Star Properties
Lake Atitlan : Hotel Atitlan (Panajachel)
Hotel Atitlan (Panajachel)
Lake Atitlan , GUATEMALA
Hotel Atitlan is one of Guatemala’s finest and most charming boutique hotels surrounded by Botanical Gardens. The hotel is situated 10 minutes from the main town of Panajachel. It is wonderfully decorated with wood hand-carved furnishing combined with ornate ceramic tiles. Outside, amidst meticulously cultivated Botanical Gardens abundant with roses, orchids, bougainvillea and azaleas. An infinity pool gazes onto Lake Atitlán and the majestic Atitlán, Toliman and San Pedro volcanoes in the distance. Rooms and suites appointed with lake-view balconies and fireplaces (in select rooms) overlook the hotel’s lush grounds.
Luxury Properties
Lake Atitlan : Casa Palopo (Santa Catarina Palopo)
Casa Palopo (Santa Catarina Palopo)
Lake Atitlan , GUATEMALA
Casa Palopó, perched above spectacular Lake Atitlan with a view of three volcanoes and located in the Guatemalan Highlands, offers two distinct brands of romantic relaxation for the sophisticated traveler. Choose from the charming and colorful accommodations in the main building, which features seven spacious rooms decorated with contemporary and indigenous artwork. A large living room with fireplace, gourmet restaurant, elegantly set tables are set in intimate clusters inside the relaxed dining room and on the glassed terrace, additional tables spread along the wide veranda, Casa Palopó is the place to catch an uninterrupted view of spectacular sunsets.
Testimonials
Bryony and Peter C, from Australia
Traveled April, 2013
Everything went completely to plan and we cannot speak highly enough of all our guides
Just letting you know that we arrived safely back in Australia today. We would like to thank you for arranging such a great trip through central-america for us. Everything went completely to plan and we cannot speak highly enough of all our guides. We were picked up and dropped off at the advised times with the minimum of fuss, tours were excellent, well planned and our guides were extremely knowledgeable and easy to get on with. Our accommodation was very good and all included meals were of top quality and organized for our requests.
Traveled To
Julie and Don
Traveled May, 2009
We found Guatemala to be a wonderful place to visit
Thank-you again for your wonderful help with planning our personalized tour of Guatemala! Everything went as planned, and we were able to meet-up with my sister, and even got to attend two of her quartet concerts! It was a very enjoyable and memorable experience! We would like to express our appreciation for all of the hard work that you and your staff performed on our behalf. We found Guatemala to be a wonderful place to visit inasmuch as we were able to see such beautiful scenery and nature juxtaposed against the terrible current and after effects on a society that has endured such tragedies as civil wars, foreign incursions (from America, etc.) and yet, despite it all, we experienced nothing but graciousness and warmth from the Guatemalan people we met. The services of the drivers and guides were exceptionally good and the accommodations were all wonderfully memorable. Yes, you may use our e-mail comments on your website for other clients to read. Thank you for being in the business of making such a trip possible. Thanks again to You and all at Yampu!
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Frank
Traveled February, 2010
Thank you very much for organizing a most successful overland trip through central-america.
I returned home safe and sound on Sunday. Thank you very much for organizing a most successful overland trip through central-america. I am thinking seriously about a third overland trip through south-america in the next year or so. Thank you again for arranging a very successful and most enjoyable itinerary. I will contact you again in the next couple of months about similar trips through south-america and the Caribbean.
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